Confused about where to start? These steps will walk you through the process of applying for and finalizing financial aid.

You must follow these steps every year you are seeking financial aid, and should file your FAFSA by December 15 for the following academic year. You must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to keep your financial aid.

1. Apply for or locate your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID.

The FSA ID serves as your electronic signature for the FAFSA and will be used each year to reapply for aid, so keep it with your documents so you don’t lose it. You can apply for your FSA ID anytime.

Prospective students: If you haven’t already done so, apply for a FSA ID on the FSA ID website.

Current students: Locate your FSA ID used on your previous FAFSA. If you cannot locate it, you can request a duplicate FSA ID on the FSA ID website.

Edinboro University’s preferred deadline is December 15. School code is 003321. Students who meet the preferred filing deadline will receive full consideration of University scholarships and grants. The FAFSA also serves (for Pennsylvania residents) as a PHEAA grant application, so applicants will also meet the PHEAA deadline of May 1.

ALERT: Please note the IRS Data Retrieval Tool has been shut down by the IRS and is not currently available. The Data Retrieval Tool is not expected to be available until October 2017 for the next FAFSA filing season. Please click this link for more specific information: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/irs-drt-unavailable

3. Review scholarship opportunities.

Internal and external scholarships are not offered via the FAFSA, and some require separate applications.

Student Aid Reports are typically emailed to students so they can verify all information is correct. Be sure to check the comment section to make sure there are no requirements you need to do or are selected for verification. Respond promptly to verification requests or your financial aid will not be processed.

5. Wait for your Edinboro University award letter.

Once you are officially accepted to the University, our office will mail your award letter to your permanent address. You do not need to return it unless you wish to decrease or decline what was offered.

6. Finalize your aid.

Once you are awarded financial aid and receive your letter, there are some requirements you must complete in order for the loans and/or grants to be disbursed to the University. Not completing the requirements outlined below may result in your loans and/or grants not coming into the University, as well as late fees and registration holds on your student account.

If you were selected for Verification, make sure to turn in any required information. You can view your requirements on your S.C.O.T.S. account under Financial Aid > My Eligibility > Holds > Student Requirements.

If you’re a grad student, you may apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan if you need additional funds.

To decline or decrease the aid:

On the Financial Aid Award Letter, write the decreased amount of the loans/grants you wish to accept or “0” to decline and mail back to the Financial Aid Office.

*Note: Work Study and Institutional Work are not applied toward the tuition bill. This is the amount students are eligible for if they obtain a job on campus. It will be sent to students in the form of a bi-weekly paycheck.

Other Important Information

Notify the Financial Aid office of any financial assistance received from other sources such as Graduate Assistantships, EU Tuition Waivers, Chapter 30 Veterans benefits, etc.

Stay on top of all EU emails to your student account, as well as your financial aid account, and all required documents via S.C.O.T.S.